Looking for advice regarding mites and lice

[HarryF1]

Depending on where you are, you can purchase a product called Doktor Doom Residual Spray. It contains .5% permethrin spray.

I'm based in UK, don't think I'll find that product in here. I've across a few mite sprays with good reviews but none of them mention if they have any Permethrin:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Smite-14SM...&qid=1535835140&sr=8-30&keywords=chicken+lice

EDIT: Here's the one I found later which contains Permethrin, for anyone who might come across this thread in the future:

https://www.flytesofancy.co.uk/chickenhouses/Net-Tex-Total-Mite-Kill-Concentrate-500ml-NTX4354.html

 

[HarryF1]

I love DE but..... when you have a infestation you have a serious problem. You need to break the cycle of repoduction or your just wasting time and money. Coach gave you great advice and a good product to use. I use DE for maintenance basically but anyone with a true infestation knows it only slows the cycle never completely irradiates it. It takes more than one time to Treat this type of problem.

Wish I had found this site sooner, wasted a lot of time and energy on using DE.

 

[MissChick@dee]

Wish I had found this site sooner, wasted a lot of time and energy on using DE.

No Harry you just hang on to that DE. It has many good uses. I mix it into my pellets once a month for a maintenance dewormer. I put it in a empty dishwashing soap bottle (dawn) squeeze and mist the coop when I clean. I add it to my hens favorite place to dust bathe and let them work it in. I had a horrible problem with red ants in my run this summer first treatment (just took a sifter) they were gone for two months. When they came back did it again. That’s only two treatments this summer. I use it all around my wood pile for spiders. I use the food grade DE. They have directions for human consumption for strong nails and hair (I’ll wait on that application). It has many good uses. Just not for infestations. Maintenance yes.

 

[HarryF1]

It has many good uses. Just not for infestations. Maintenance yes.

Thanks for that list, I've a 10kg bag being delivered in a few days, good to know it won't go to waste.

 

[coach723]

Found this:
https://www.pestfix.co.uk/deadline-insectaban-liquid-psd88.asp
Says for professional use, not sure what the regulations in the UK are.........it's much easier to get here in the US. Maybe try a livestock supply and ask them what to get there, surely there is a treatment for bird mites available somehow.......
Maybe a pigeon supply?
If you cannot get a permethrin product see if you can find a spinosad product. In the US it's Elector PSP, it cost's more here, so permethrin is more popular, but it will work as well.
I found this one: http://www.sheknows.com/bestdeals/uk/spinosad-concentrate
Not sure of amount to mix for this one, hopefully if you are able to get something it will have instructions......

 

[Isaiah53]

That's a relief, now I just need to find the UK version of the Permethrin product.

Ask around for "residual sprays". Hopefully they'll know what you're talking about. It's an easy way to keep on top of the mite /lice problem, even before it starts. Maybe even ask a lawn maintenance or pest control service?

In Canada it's difficult to get much of the same things that were discussed here. I had no idea I couldn't bring permethrin powder across the border into Canada, and just got told at customs no can do. He let me bring the 2 containers I'd purchased today which was nice But it's ridiculous I can buy a permethrin residual spray, but not a permethrin powder in Canada.

Good luck!

 

[HarryF1]

Found this:
https://www.pestfix.co.uk/deadline-insectaban-liquid-psd88.asp
Says for professional use, not sure what the regulations in the UK are.........it's much easier to get here in the US. Maybe try a livestock supply and ask them what to get there, surely there is a treatment for bird mites available somehow.......
Maybe a pigeon supply?
If you cannot get a permethrin product see if you can find a spinosad product. In the US it's Elector PSP, it cost's more here, so permethrin is more popular, but it will work as well.
I found this one: http://www.sheknows.com/bestdeals/uk/spinosad-concentrate
Not sure of amount to mix for this one, hopefully if you are able to get something it will have instructions......

I managed to find the one contains permethrin:
https://www.flytesofancy.co.uk/chickenhouses/Net-Tex-Total-Mite-Kill-Concentrate-500ml-NTX4354.html
It's quite pricey, nearly $20 with delivery charge!

 

[coach723]

Really glad you were able to find something! Price wasn't too far different from what I bought here last time, I think mine was about $17 locally. But should help you get a handle on the mite problem. Good luck!

 

[rebrascora]

@HarryF1

Hi

I'm in the UK. Mites have been a problem is some of my coops this summer. I use the Nettex Total Mite Kill in conjunction with DE dusting and a blow torch.... I keep bees and one of my coops that is particularly close to my hives has the worst problem, so I don't like to be using insecticides in that area. Scorching the inside of the hive with a blow torch every few days can be quite satisfying. I also squash clusters of them when I see them. I have one of those little coops with the split roof that is hinged upwards for a pair of my banties and the mites often congregate around the top of the walls where the roof meets them so every morning I lift the roof and squash them with my fingers. It is a continual battle year on year. Those little coops are a particular problem because the roof is lined with plywood on the underside which delaminates when it gets damp and the mites breed in the gaps caused by the delamination..... arrgh!

PS I get my Nettex Total Mite Kill from my local feed store. I think it is about £10. I bought both the ready to use sprayer and the concentrate and just fill up the empty sprayer bottle with concentrate and water when I need it. I measured out the quantities of concentrate and water and poured them into the spray bottle and marked the level on it with an indelible pen, so now I just pour concentrate to the first line and then top up with water to the second line and I don't have to start thinking about dilutions.

Good luck getting rid of them. They will almost certainly come back again next year, so keep a sharp look out, dust or spray with your DE to keep levels low and Total Mite Kill or blow torch to target infestations. If you get any broody hens, they are a magnate for them and numbers multiply quickly because they can feats 24/7 on a broody. I always dust nests of eggs that I set for broodies with DE before they start and at least twice through the incubation process and always make sure broodies have access to dust bathing facilities..

Regards

Barbara

 

[HarryF1]

@HarryF1
Hi
I'm in the UK. Mites have been a problem is some of my coops this summer. I use the Nettex Total Mite Kill in conjunction with DE dusting and a blow torch....

Thanks for your detailed reply. I've already ordered Nettex and DE, I'm hoping they'll solve the problem. The hens have been laying very few eggs, 1 a day between the 6 of them, so maybe I'll see an improvement in that.